Lutheran Boys End Seasons With Loss to Burroughs

When Ezekiel Elliott tweaked an ankle in the Class 3, District 6 opening round game for John Burroughs against  at Whitfield, football coaches around America probably gasped with dismay.

Elliott tried to walk off the left ankle injury and trainer Dean Tiffany and staff tried to deal with the injury. Hobbling on one foot, following the easy 57-39 win for the Bombers Elliott said he would definitely be back for the semifinal game with the winner of Orchard Farm/Transportation and Law, coach Steve Wilcutt had his doubts.

“We shall see,” the veteran Burroughs coach said.

Elliott and Foye Okuokun put on a scoring clinic. Each tied for game-high honors with 15 point. Amos Shinkle, the 6-foot-5 senior center had 12.

“We were concerned about being lackadaisical," Shinkle said. "We stepped it up.”

The Bombers had some work to re-arrange their schedule. The opening round game started at 3:30 p.m., just about the time they normally get out of classes.

“Pretty early for us,” Wilcutt said.

The early start didn’t stop the Bombers from bursting out the gate.

Before fans settled into their seats, they held a quick 12-2 lead. At the halftime break, they held a snug 14 point lead, 34-20. By the end of the game, they had  20 point bulge.

Shinkle pronounces their 19-5 season to date a success.

“It’s been a wonderful season,” he said. “We’ve had some distractions. We’re all playing well together,”

Elliott, hobbling on one foot took the ankle injury in stride.

“I’m fine. I’ll be back for the next game," he said.

The Bombers showed a lot of first half energy. That's what they needed.

No Cougars broke into double figures. Kevin Schmelder led the team with nine points.

The 19-5 season has been a lot of fun for the Bombers. They lost their opener two days after the Show Me Bowl, losing to Ladue in their home opener.

Next for the Bombers is a Thursday semifinal game at 5;30 p.m. versus either Orchard Farm or Transportation and Law.

This team is so deep in talent, they are in the position to make a serious run.

“Our goal is to play Lutheran North again," Shingle said. 

That game would be Friday night’s finals.